A financial BLOG written by a DIY investor covering Singapore blue chips, dividend stocks, financial education, corporate news, money saving tips, book reviews and my journey to financial freedom. Currently managing a personal portfolio of more than SGD $1,000,000, I aspire to have an average cash flow of minimum $10,000 per month either through realised capital gains or dividends.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Corporate: Starhub

Excerpts from OCBC research

StarHub Ltd posted a disappointing set of 2Q08 results. Although revenue rose 8.6% YoY to S$531.4m, it was down 0.7% QoQ. Meanwhile, net profit tumbled 20.5% YoY and 19.9% QoQ toS$64.2m, way shy of our S$76.2m estimate and the street’s S$83.6m number. Management attributed the sharp earnings decline to three reasons

Intense competition in mobile segment: Mobile business sales rose 6.5% YoY (down 1.4% QoQ) to S$269.3m, or about 50.7% of total revenue.

Although StarHub recorded its highest quarter net adds (36k) for its postpaid segment in over five years, its pre-paid segment saw a 40k net drop after it failed to respond promptly to a competitor’s aggressive strategy.

And as expected, average acquisition cost jumped by another 19.4% QoQ (+27.8% QoQ in 1Q08) ahead of the implementation of true mobile number portability (MNP) in June 2008. But on the flip side, StarHub has managed to reduce its churn rate to 0.9%, the lowest level since 4Q05.

Slower growth and lower margin expected. Going forward, management has moved to slash its revenue guidance from 10% previously to 7%, citing flat pre-paid revenue growth projection. In addition, StarHub has cut its EBITDA margin guidance from 33% previously to 31%, even though it expects the aggressive handset subsidies to ease towards the end of the year. However, it kept the total dividend payout of S$0.18/share for the year; it has also made S$0.045/share for 2Q08. In light of the latest developments, we have cut our FY08 forecast for sales by 3.3% and earnings by 9.9%.

Sgbluechip says: There is a drop in free cash flow from 303m (1H 07) to 170m (1H 08). EPS is only 3.76 cents and they are paying out 4.5 cents dividends. I am not sure if they can sustain the dividend payout. The share price will continue to face selling pressure to perhaps $2.50. If you have read my rationale for taking profits on Starhub here, you will know that my worries on the increased competition has been realised. In my opinion, Starhub will be unable to keep up with a yearly dividend of 18 cents. This is due to the entry of broadband market by M1, Singtel aggressive promotion of Mio TV and recent additions of the US channels. Also, Singtel has the telecast rights of Champions league which will again prompt some cable TV subscribers to switch to Mio TV. The increase in SPH advertisement costs in Septemeber will also challenge Starhub’s profit margins in the mid term. I will revisit Starhub shares towards it’s dividend payout date for trading purposes.

Singapore Blue Chips

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About Me

I am an ordinary Singaporean guy in my early thirties who is passionate about investing since 2003.
I live in a 4 room HDB flat and like many Singaporeans, dream of becoming a millionaire.
Currently I am an ordinary worker and have just completed my Masters. I aspire to build up a portfolio of 1 million dollars and derive a yearly recurring dividend income of 6% by 35.
The only way to achieve this aim is to work hard and invest prudently.
I invest in a variety of instruments such as unit trusts, stocks, REITS and foreign currencies mainly Australian dollars options.